John Henry Brown was a painter of portrait miniatures, living and working in Philadelphia. He had met Lincoln in August of 1860 when he was commissioned to paint Lincoln’s portrait for a supporter, but although Brown liked Lincoln personally, he did not agree with Republican policies.
Transcription:
The general feeling in regard to the aspect of affairs at the South, is one of unrelieved despondency.
The belief is rapidly gaining ground that before long all of the Cotton States will be out of the Union and that before the 4th of March all the Slave States will be inclined to follow them.
Citation: John Henry Brown (1818-1891), autograph journal/account book. Philadelphia, 1844-1890. AMs 574/14.1
Yesterday, December 26, Maj. Anderson moved his garrison from Ft. Moultrie to Ft. Sumter. Because Fr. Sumter is in the middle of Charleston Harbor and can only be reached by boat it is considered to be more defensible.
Today, South Carolina militia seized Castle Pinckney and Ft. Moultrie. Georgia and Alabama have offered South Carolina the assistance of troops and Southern commissioners are protesting the move.
President Buchanan said that the move was without his instructions, but takes no action to return the troops, leaving them in Fr. Sumter. He plans to meet with Southern commissioners on Dec. 28.
The Cabinet is divided, fearing that Maj. Anderson’s actions will cause the secession to spread to other southern states.